PEOPLE from the Holsworthy area were the first to hear the results from the recent survey of health and social care needs in the area.

Some visitors also enjoyed tours of the hospital to see how hospital services have expanded in recent years.

The event was hosted and run by the Holsworthy Community Involvement Group — local people who are working with the NHS to help people in Holsworthy and the surrounding parishes live healthier and happier lives. Beds at the hospital were temporarily closed in 2017 and since then the hospital has added more services or groups for local people, including clinics for people with chronic kidney problems, joint problems, Parkinson’s and increased support for people with mental health issues.

There has been an estimated four-fold increase in the number of appointments available at the hospital, with around 500 appointments in April 2017, rising to more than 2,000 available in April 2019.

Despite the number of people using the hospital rising significantly in recent years, the survey found:

• Services provided at Holsworthy hospital were identified by 90% of respondents as a priority.

• Almost half of respondents aged 46-55 believed the hospital was closed. This rose to more than 50% of 76 to 85-year-olds and more than 90% of people aged 85 and over.

• Overall about one in ten people said they felt lonely or isolated. This rose to almost three in ten among 18 to 25-year-olds.

• Almost eight in ten (79%) said End of Life care was important. Of these three quarters put care in their own home as their first choice for this with 16% saying this should be in a community hospital.

More than 1,100 (about 16% of) people living in the area responded to the survey which was analysed independently by Healthwatch Devon.

Town and district councillor Jon Hutchings, former Holsworthy mayor and a member of the HCIG, said he was pleased. “It was great to share the findings of our survey with people living in Holsworthy and beyond,” he said. “The survey showed that people really value their local hospital but perhaps that unless you use the hospital or are a visitor, many are not sure what services are there — or how busy it is.

“The results of the survey are now available online and we will make sure we put a number of paper copies in the town’s library. I would urge everyone to take a look — there are some really surprising things in there.”

Inpatient beds at Holsworthy Hospital were temporarily closed in March 2017. Problems recruiting medical and nursing staff means that the beds remain closed at present. But since the temporary closures local non-bed-based services at the hospital have increased.

There are now approximately 40 clinics or groups running from the site including a group for mums and babies, patients with kidney disease, a leg clinic, a service for people with Parkinson’s, retinal screening, stroke rehabilitation and rheumatology.

It is also the base for 50 health and social care staff who help patients get back on their feet, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and promote health, wellbeing and independence. It is these staff that now also provide the care to NHS patients at Deer Park.

The Holsworthy Community Involvement Group was set up toreview progress regarding the reopening of beds and develop a set of recommendations to inform NHS commissioning decisions.

These recommendations, along with clinical, financial and logistical considerations, will then inform decisions about services in future. Final recommendations are expected later this summer.

The group is overseeing efforts to safely reopen beds at the hospital.

Cllr Barry Parsons, local county councillor (Holsworthy Rural division) and HCIG member, added: “It’s a great privilege to be part of a group working so hard and for so long in the best interests of its community.

“The group includes individuals from different aspects of our Holsworthy Town and Parishes, each and every one determined to seek out best possible solutions for the health and well-being of our local community.

“Members of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have been equally committed and I would like to express sincere thanks for their understanding of a situation which involves people as far away from an acute hospital as anywhere else in the country.”

The project recently won the ‘collaboration of the year’ category in the Celebrating You awards run by Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions NHS care in the county.

The award recognised the joint work between the community of Holsworthy, Devon CCG, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and Devon County Council. Search ‘Holsworthy healthier and happier lives survey’ or visit www.devonccg.nhs.uk